U16 girls save the best for the last

China, April 26: The Bangladesh U16 girls have ended their China tour with a smashing victory.

The Bengal girls beat the physically superior Chinese U14 Team 3-1 at the Olympic Sports Village in Xian of Shaanxi Province on Wednesday.

Having lost the first match and drawing the second match against the same team, the red and greens asserted their dominance in this match from the very beginning.

It took them only eight minutes to break the deadlock.

Defensive midfielder Ratna threaded a precision through ball to striker Shopna who dribbled forward into the box with 3 touches and scored with neat side foot finish past the Chinese goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper Mahmuda made a good save when she came off the goal line quickly to smother a shot low to her right.

The visitors doubled their lead, again through striker Shopna, on the 23rd minute.

It was a planned and rehearsed corner kick move delivered by Sanjida and met just 4 yards from goal by Shopna who scored with a powerful header.

On the 45th minute, Shopna missed a good opportunity to score a hat-trick and extend Bangladesh’s lead even further.

Then on the 51st minute, Bangladesh survived a scare as goalkeeper Mahmuda went off her line and right back Sheuli had to make a goal line clearance.

However, the visitors remained unfazed and kept attacking.

Midfielder Ratna missed a great chance to score when right winger Sanjida passed a good ball to her on the 66th minute.

The last ten minutes of the game were full of excitement.

Left winger Monika Chakma scored the third goal for the visitors on the 87th minute.

A Bangladesh corner kick was cleared by China only as far as left back Anai, who delivered a delightful high cross onto the edge of the 6-yard box. Monika beat the Chinese central defenders and the goalkeeper to the ball to poke it home and lift the score to 3-0.

However, the Chinese did get a consolation goal with the very last kick of the game through a counter-attack.

Bangladesh was attacking down the right wing but China won that ball and came back down their left flank to which Bangladesh reacted slowly.

Having committed too many players forward in quest of a fourth goal, Bangladesh could not get enough players to fall back behind the ball.

China moved the ball from the left to the middle of the goal and Chinese forward Lieu scored with a powerful drive into the roof of the net from the penalty spot.

With almost similar ball possession, both teams had 10 shots each on and off target.

Bangladesh won 6 corners to China’s 3.

Despite conceding a last minute goal, centre backs Masura and Nargis were solid throughout the 90 minutes.

In a very even and close fought game, Bangladesh made no substitutions as the starting 11 played very well with very good positive football; possession and attacking movements resulting in 10 shots on and off target.

Bangladesh staged an excellent team display where all 11 players contributed, displayed commitment and showed heart and desire to finish the tour on a winning note.

The team is scheduled to return on April 27 (Thursday).